Facebook Messenger Rooms: 10 features you should know about new rival to video chat app Zoom

While Zoom has been taking effective measures to address security and privacy issues, many users are looking for alternatives to the video conferencing platform.

Recently, social media giant Facebook has officially rolled out the Messenger Rooms app, giving users an additional option to connect with people apart from Skype, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and much more amid lockdowns and quarantine.

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According to the company, Messenger Rooms make it easy to spend quality time with friends, loved ones, and people who share your interests. Right now, the feature is rolled out to selected countries and other countries will get Rooms in the coming weeks.

In this article, we have jotted down 10 new features that you should check out on Facebook’s Messenger Room feature.

#1 No Facebook account needed!

You can create a room from Messenger or Facebook and invite anyone to join a video call even if they don’t have a Facebook account.

#2 Up to 50 people

The Messenger Room app will support up to 50 people at a time without any time limit, unlike the Zoom Video Conferencing app.

#3 Drop it on wall

Did you worry about disturbing others? Well, you can start and share rooms on Facebook through News Feed, Groups, and Events, so it’s easy for people to drop by.

#4 AR effects, 360 backgrounds, and more!

By any chance, if you have a Messenger app, you can play with AR effects like bunny ears, and new AI-powered features like immersive 360 backgrounds and mood lighting.

#5 You control everything!

If you create a room, you can choose who can see and join it. On the other hand, you can remove people from the call and lock a room if you don’t want anyone else to enter.

#6 Room to debut in Whatsapp, Portal

Facebook is planning to add ways to create rooms from Instagram Direct, WhatsApp, and Portal as well.

#7 Chat in between videos, but…!

Through this feature, you can tap on each participant’s icon and view their Facebook profile or chat with them. However, it is restricted to Messenger desktop.

#8 Safety and privacy controls at your disposal!

The social media giant has worked with cryptographers to prevent unwanted guests from dropping into chats. Once your call begins, you will have safety and privacy controls to remove any unwanted guest or lock the room so no one can join

#9 You can block!

If at any point you feel unsafe, you can leave the room or block people on Facebook or messenger, so when they’re logged in, they won’t be able to join a room you’re in and you won’t be able to join others

#10 You can report too!

If you have previously blocked someone on Facebook, they won’t be able to see the feature or join in. Also, you can report on the room name or provide feedback.

How to create a room?

The Facebook Messenger app is available on both mobile (Android & iOS) and desktop platforms.

Step 1: Install and Open the Facebook Messenger app.

Step 2: Go to the People section on the bottom right.

Step 3: Choose the ‘Create a Room’ option

Step 4: Once the room is created, you can choose to invite friends from in and out of Facebook by sending them the unique link that the app generates.

Is it Messenger App secure?

According to Facebook, the chats will not be end-to-end encrypted, however, it will be added in the future. Furthermore, the company also said it won’t monitor or listen to video calls, but will still gather data to improve the product and overall user experience.

So what do you guys think about Facebook’s stand on this? Do let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

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